Browse Tag by Highlights
Euro 2016

EX-CITY DEFENDER, RICHARDS TO REMAIN AT VILLA PARK

Former Manchester City star, Micah Lincoln Richards is expected to remain at Championship side, Aston Villa beyond the close of this month’s transfer window.


The defender was recalled to the match day 18 squad for the recent 2-2 draw with Preston North End and is still part of manager, Steve Bruce’s plans.

The 28-year-old signed a four year contract with Aston Villa after his release by Manchester City on free transfer in the 2015/2016 season and has gone on to be an integral part of the squad in the West Midlands.

The defender has attracted interest from a number of Premiership clubs as reports gathered claim that West Ham United are keen on signing Richards this summer, while Hull City and Sunderland, managed thenby Sam Allardyce, were also interested.

Richards has also had offers from a number of foreign clubs to consider but decided to stay at Villa Park despite not featuring too often under ex-boss, Roberto Di Matteo. Continue Reading

Euro 2016

STADIUM DELAY BY EURO 2020 HOSTS

Brussels, venue for the Euro 2020 might have a stadium less available for the competition as Belgium top football officials claim a planned new stadium might not be ready in time.


There are political issues involved with the planned 60,000 capacity Eurostadium project.

A FIFA Council member Michel D’Hooghe says: “If they want to build it they have to start building very soon, and there I have severe doubts.”

Thirteen cities are to host the tournament across the continent and UEFA chose Brussels in 2014. UEFA has another city in mind for the tournament as problems hamper the planning, D’Hooghe added.

City and regional lawmakers’ disputes made Brussels club Anderlecht cancel plans of using the new stadium. The 50,000 capacity King Baudouin stadium lacks the required facilities for the competition of that magnitude.

Unlike previous occasions – France hosted the 2016 event, and Ukraine and Poland were the co-hosts in 2012 – 13 cities would host the Euro 2020 tournament in an unprecedented move. Continue Reading

Euro 2016

LOOKING AT HAMSIK’S CAREER AT NAPOLI

Marek Hamsik is at the peak of his career at Serie A outfit Napoli.


The player has been underrated for long, despite his exploits. This term he seems to have gotten a fair share of his time in the spotlight. The player started at Slovan Bratislava before he transferred to Italy at 17 years. He joined Brescia in 2004, starting from the Under 19 squad.

Hamsik played his first Serie A match in 2005, still aged 17. He is the third player from Slovakia to appear in Italy’s top-flight division. The team was relegated that season but it did not in any way limit Hamsik’s display. He made the headlines when he scored in the Coppa Italia against AC Milan. In the 2006/07 season, he netted ten times in 40 games. Napoli dropped €5.5 million for the youngster then to move him from the Serie B back to the top flight.

Hamsik made his debut for Napoli in August 2007, but he scored in the 2-0 rout of Sampdoria a month later. The talented player became the best young player in the league in 2009, beating Mario Balotelli and Sebastian Giovinco to the award. Continue Reading

Euro 2016

HODGSON: NO RASHFORD FOR EURO 2016

Head coach of the English men national team, Roy Hodgson says there is no way Red Devils teenage sensation, Marcus Rashford, will play in the Euro 2016 campaign billed for France this summer.


The coach says including the youngster, even of it is for experience, would be tantamount to allowing another player who has more reason being in the tournament to be sacrificed.

Rashford, who is only 18 years old, has seven goals for Manchester United in 13 appearances since making his senior team debut in February when Martial was out due to injury. Hodgson says he has been very impressed with the youngster but said it was unlikely he would take him to Euro 2016.

The player who is six months from his next birthday scored a brace on his debut in the Europa League game against FC Midtjylland. The English player has gone on to score more goals including the matches against Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston villa. The young striker also scored when the Red Devils took on West Ham in a crucial FA cup tie. His goal helped place Manchester United in the semi final against Everton. With Crystal Palace and Watford also in contention, Manchester United have a clear edge in lifting the trophy this season.

Hogdson has numerous options in Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck amongst others. Continue Reading

Euro 2016

The doors for the Italian national team aren’t closed for Mario Balotelli

The coach of the Italian national side CesarePrandelli admitted in saying Mario Balotelli still has a chance to be called up and to perform for the Italian team in the international stage but that he has to earn it.

If Mario Balotelli wants to make a return to the Italian side, he has to prove to CesarePrandelli that he has changed and that he truly deserves to represent his country. The last time that Balotelli played for Italy was back in the 2014 World Cup in the first round of this international competition.

Italy’s CesarePrandelli said: “The doors to the national team are not closed for anyone. But you have to deserve to be part of this team, via performances, behavior and moral aspects which we believe a lot in. It’s up to Balotelli to deserve an eventual return. “It’s up to Balotelli to deserve an eventual return,”

Throughout his career, Balotelli has built a reputation of being a player who gets angered easily and does not like to follow instructions. There have been occasions when Balotelli has received a red card or a sanction due to his behavior and this one of the things that he has been mostly critiqued but according to Ac.Milan’s CEO Adriano Galliani, Balotelli has experienced a radical change since arriving to San Siro. Continue Reading

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